The American Dream: A RevolutionAbbie Clark
English 102 Short Argumentative Essay February 21, 2016 The American Dream: A Revolution “That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (qtd. Kadlec par. 2). The American Dream as stated by James Truslow Adams, a writer, circa 1931 has previously been recognized as a way for all Americans to live their lives (Kadlec par. 2). Although the American dream has changed, it is not dead; in fact, it is still thriving even though Americans no longer need to focus on buying a house, putting family before career, or working one job to retirement. While past generations believed that buying a house was essential to a successful life, it is simply untrue. Several economists argue that the number of of home-owning Americans dropping down to 65 percent is a sign of the American Dream failing (Kadlec par. 3). Although economists believe that a lack of homeownership proves the American Dream is dead, their point is invalid. Many Americans no longer believe that home ownership is vital to their future success (King 573). With the number of citizens living in America that believe there are better ways to find success than in real estate investment, it would correlate with members in society now renting homes. As quoted in The American Dream: Dead, Alive or on Hold?, “ More and more people now rent their homes instead of buying; a recent study showed a decrease in homeownership from 69% in 2005 to about 66.5% in 2010, and an increase in renter households of 1.1 million” (574). The point made is that Americans are becoming more accustomed to renting as opposed to purchasing a home. Even though many Americans are choosing not to place their time and money into the real estate market does not mean the American Dream is dead. The past idea of wanting a mortgage and a white picket fence is now behind our society, and we have instead traded in for the hopes of being successful with or without a home deed in our own name. Even though past generations believed that becoming married was necessary before achieving career goals, in today’s society, it is not expected to be married before embarking in the career world. In Cal Thomas, a panelist on Fox News Watch, view the American Dream “has meant building a life based on the foundational principles that created and have sustained America for more than 200 years” (568). Past generations are known for marrying their spouse right out of high school, this is no longer the case. Many Americans are now choosing to from their career first as opposed to starting a family. While several members of society believe that putting career first will help them form a new version of the American Dream, Bob Herbert, writer for the New York Times, believes that “however you want to define the American dream, there is not much of it that’s left anymore” (564). Although Herbert refuses to see that the American Dream is adapting to mean a new, form of success to every citizen does not mean that the revolution and the advancement of a new dream is any less real. Although past generations would begin a job and work within that company until they retired, many Americans are now taking an alternative route. Brandon King, author of "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?", observes that “despite the harshness of the Great Recession, a 2009 New York Times survey found that 72 percent of Americans still believed it was possible to start poor, work hard, and become rich in America” (573). With American citizens’ dedication to working diligently in order to build a life for themselves, it is clear to see that although they may not be working their way up in one corporation, they are working. Kadlec, writer for Time Magazine recognizes that, “Maybe that’s because, stereotypes be damned, they know something about their work ethic that boomers and other elders do not: Millennials are pretty darned committed to their careers—they just see it in different terms” (par. 11). Millennials,those born roughly between 1980 and 2000, are sometimes referred to as the lazy generation. Kadlec previously pointed out Millennials are choosing to work smarter, not harder. The previous American Dream may have been for citizens to stay within one job until retirement, pay the dues, and never ask for more. This previous dream is now gone. Current generations are realizing that if they want to reach their goals and become successful, they need to do all they can to achieve the new American Dream, and they need to find success in their own way. The American Dream refers to achieving “better and richer and fuller” life with equal opportunity for everyone (Kadlec par. 2). This dream has formerly meant to own a home, build a family before career, and work only within one company. The American Dream now holds other connotations for American citizens. Each American is responsible for their own success in this life, and how they accomplish their version of the American Dream is up to them. Works Cited Herbert, Bob. "Hiding from Reality" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 564-567. Print. Kadlec, Dan. "Is the American Dream Withering or Just Changing? | TIME.com." Is the American Dream Withering or Just Changing Comments. Time Inc., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016. King, Brandon. "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 572- 578. Print. Thomas, Cal. "Is the American Dream Over?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 568-571. Print. |
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